The Silent Severity of Geriatric Trauma: Why Low-Energy Mechanisms Are High-Acuity Emergencies

Geriatric trauma often presents with low-energy mechanisms that appear minor yet carry high-acuity consequences. This session challenges the long-standing assumption that trauma in older adults is inherently low risk and equips clinicians with practical knowledge to improve recognition, assessment, and prevention. Participants will examine how routine falls, ground-level impacts, medication effects, and age-related physiologic changes increase the risk of severe injuries such as intracranial hemorrhage, rib fractures, and spinal injuries.

‍